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Introduction
Fire is one of the worst nightmares imaginable during an accident. The flames leap up, leaving you unable to fight them off with just some water (not to mention that electrical fires must never be fought with water) and most of us do not keep heaps of sand lying around in our houses or our office buildings. Fire not only ravages but also suffocates, thereby making it even more difficult for you to fight against it without any external help.
So what do you do? Simple. You learn about the different fire fighting systems available to you and install one.
After all, being prepared is better than being stingy and foolish in the long run, right? And what can be more valuable than human life?
1. Description of a Fire Fighting System
There are various types of fire fighting systems. . However, usually, they are divided into two major categories. These are:
- Land-based Fire Fighting System
This is applicable for fire fighting requirements on land, like in office buildings, homes, refineries, industrial plants, godowns, factories, schools, universities, and so on. Usually, the system consists of pumps and water monitors with a control system. Foam systems and hoses can be added for increased vigilance.
a) Mobile Fire Fighting: There are several options like trailer-mounted monitors, driver-based pump packages, mobile pump packages, and hoses to enable you to fight fires even while on the move. This is especially significant for forest fires and fires spread out over a large area.
b) Stationary Fire Fighting: There are control systems with the latest technology and software along with the foam system that puts out stationary fires in a matter of minutes.
- Water-Based Fire Fighting System
This is applicable for boats, offshore vessels, oil tankers, and other vehicles that travel on water. There are compact and environment-friendly options for tugboats, customizable systems for offshore vessels, and fireboats that put out fires even in the middle of the ocean.
2. Components of a Fire Fighting System - An Elaboration
For a fire fighting system, safety is primary.
To give you that, the first components that are needed are the fire alarm and fire detection systems. They can include bells, strobes, and chimes. They are of two types:
Manual Initiating System: These need you to be alert during a fire crisis and include the breaking of glass and pushing of buttons to alert and save others. It also requires proper directional symbols and accessibility to work properly.
Automatic Initiating System: These need no human intervention. Smoke, fire, and heat trigger them and set them off so that you can be made alert that there is a fire break out somewhere in your space.
Fire Alarm Control Panel
This is the brain of the fire fighting and alerting system which gets triggered as a fire breaks out and sends notifications everywhere to start with the manual handling of the situation. It is also needed for some ancillary functions to take effect properly. Once the functions are activated by the panel, you are warned.
Ancillary Functions
1. Sprinkler Systems: No fire fighting system is possible without the sprinkler system which is activated by the central control panel. The water shooting out is the primary firefighter.
2. Exit Lighting: These lights will guide you to the fire exit and then to subsequent safety.
3. Voice Communication System: These are responsible for providing verbal orders that instruct you where to go and what to do during a fire emergency. They also call the fire department for you and give fire safety tips to help you through the ordeal.
4. Fire Extinguishers: These red cylinders with nozzles need to be put on every floor and in multiples to let people deal with smaller fires while going towards safety through fire exits.
3. Importance of Regular Maintenance
If you do not regularly maintain your fire fighting system, then installing it is not going to help you during a fire emergency. You cannot be a firefighter without proper equipment. Servicing your fire doors, your sprinkler system, and your fire alarm devices is a must. Without the fire alarm going off, there will be no fire protection possible because you will not even be aware of any fire emergency at all. The sprinkler system is one of the basic firefighters you have so proper maintenance is a must. Moreover, checking on the emergency lights is severely important as you do not want to remain stuck in a burning building without lights to guide you to safety. Being stocked up on fire extinguishers is also a double must.
4. Maintenance Works Stressing You Out? Get an AMC Done!
The best way to maintain your fire fighting systems without any extra vigilance is to get a yearly AMC done. It is a yearly payment that will take care of your fire fighting system on its own and leave you with plenty of time to do your own thing while making sure that no damage is caused during a fire emergency.
Conclusion
Fire detection, alarm, and lighting systems are a must in all buildings for the sake of human lives that must not be lost due to negligence or shoddy handling of a fire emergency just to save a few bucks. Be safe, not sorry!
